Public library: 103 and still growing

By Jeremy Appel on November 22, 2018.

Submitted photo Gillian Reimer
The Medicine Hat Public Library and the Medicine Hat Women's Shelter Society partnered together to share information and resources during this month's Family Violence Prevention Month. Natasha Carvalho, executive director of the shelter, thinks that libraries are important institutions that we need to support. Here she's showing library card to help mark the local library's 103rd birthday.

jappel@medicinehatnews.com @MHNJeremyAppel

Medicine Hat Public Library celebrated its 103rd birthday Wednesday.

Gillian Reimer, MHPL’s head of marketing services, says the library has been around so long because it’s such a valuable asset for anyone in the community.

“Libraries are social equalizers, which means we accept everyone, no matter your age, race, religion or social status,” said Reimer. “It brings the community together.”

In addition to lending out books, the MHPL gives Hatters the opportunity to listen to speakers, meet with other community members and learn about local history, as well as numerous other educational opportunities.

“The library is definitely more than just books,” Reimer said.

In just the four years she’s worked at MHPL, a small fraction of its existence, Reimer has seen a vast expansion in programming.

Hatters who’ve gone on trips abroad can present a travelogue.

“You can kind of live vicariously through them,” she said.

The library is also hosting more talks on “hot topics all of us could use a bit more understanding about,” such as medical marijuana, Reimer said.

MHPL has recently focused on its “human library project,” where patrons interested in a topic can arrange to speak with someone who has lived experience in it, whether they be a knitter or a transgender person.

“You can come in and borrow a human, which means you can sit down and have a one-on-one conversation with someone,” Reimer said.

Although she’s partial to physical books, Reimer says e-books are an increasingly valuable resource, which are also available at MHPL.

“The snowbirds who go away for months at a time don’t want to have to fill their suitcases with books. They can take just a tablet or phone and read off of that,” she said.

“We’re going to see both physical and e-books for a long time to come.”

The Hat has about 12,000 library card holders.

“We encourage everyone in Medicine Hat to sign up for a card,” said Reimer. “There’s something for everyone here.”

MHPL compiled a list of 103 reasons why to have a library card in honour of its anniversary.